Test drove the 2018 SL. Some quick impressions from a 17-mile excursion.
-- Left the dealership with 100% charge, GOM showing 181 miles, with only 16 miles on the odometer. The GOM quickly dropped to a realistic range when I finally looked again.
-- Returned after 19 miles with 35 miles on the odometer, 83% SOC remaining and 124 miles on the GOM. It was 46 degrees out and probably drove 3/4th of the miles on the highway. I drove the car pretty hard.
-- Acceleration was noticeably stronger than my 14 Leaf. I've test driven two Bolts and found the acceleration comparable. I still find the acceleration a nice kick in my Leaf which has plent of power when it counts.
-- e-pedal was nice. I want that feature. Seemed as strong as L mode in the Bolt.
-- ProPilot Assist (PPA) was an interesting experience having never driven any form of autonomous vehicle. On the highway it did a great job, even with curves in the road. One time lines for an onramp confused PPA. PPA forces you to touch the steering wheel after 10 seconds when it starts beeping at you. For where I live PPA would not be too useful. For longer trips on the highway I could see PPA helping to battle fatigue. If I had my hands resting on my lap not touching the wheel, I could pinch the bottom of the steering wheel with my thumb and finer with both hands to dismiss the warning.
-- The walls of the center console rise much higher than on my Leaf. That means the boney portion of my leg near the knee rests against the wall. Not as comfortable. On the 1st-gen Leaf the fleshy portion of my lower leg rests on the center console.
-- I would rather have the digital MPH readout my my Leaf over the analog dial. Much easier and quicker to see the speed.
-- I'm 6'1" and felt like I had a bit more leg room than in my Leaf. The Chevy Bolt has a crazy amount of leg room for the driver. With the seat all the way back in a Bolt it was almost too far for me.
-- The interior feels a grade above the Bolt. The 18 Leaf seat was comfy like my Leaf, in contrast to the Bolt, seats which I could conceivably call a dealbreaker for the Bolt.
-- LeafSpy on this car was after my drive was showing 115.19 AHr, 99.78% SOH, 97.96% Hx. LeafSpy was showing 22 miles while the car odometer was actually at 35.
Overall a solid upgrade. I instantly felt right at home. To go EV only once we retire the Prius I feel we need a 60-kWH pack at minimum. This was a glimpse into the future. Seeing 150 miles on the display is a big jump.
-- Left the dealership with 100% charge, GOM showing 181 miles, with only 16 miles on the odometer. The GOM quickly dropped to a realistic range when I finally looked again.
-- Returned after 19 miles with 35 miles on the odometer, 83% SOC remaining and 124 miles on the GOM. It was 46 degrees out and probably drove 3/4th of the miles on the highway. I drove the car pretty hard.
-- Acceleration was noticeably stronger than my 14 Leaf. I've test driven two Bolts and found the acceleration comparable. I still find the acceleration a nice kick in my Leaf which has plent of power when it counts.
-- e-pedal was nice. I want that feature. Seemed as strong as L mode in the Bolt.
-- ProPilot Assist (PPA) was an interesting experience having never driven any form of autonomous vehicle. On the highway it did a great job, even with curves in the road. One time lines for an onramp confused PPA. PPA forces you to touch the steering wheel after 10 seconds when it starts beeping at you. For where I live PPA would not be too useful. For longer trips on the highway I could see PPA helping to battle fatigue. If I had my hands resting on my lap not touching the wheel, I could pinch the bottom of the steering wheel with my thumb and finer with both hands to dismiss the warning.
-- The walls of the center console rise much higher than on my Leaf. That means the boney portion of my leg near the knee rests against the wall. Not as comfortable. On the 1st-gen Leaf the fleshy portion of my lower leg rests on the center console.
-- I would rather have the digital MPH readout my my Leaf over the analog dial. Much easier and quicker to see the speed.
-- I'm 6'1" and felt like I had a bit more leg room than in my Leaf. The Chevy Bolt has a crazy amount of leg room for the driver. With the seat all the way back in a Bolt it was almost too far for me.
-- The interior feels a grade above the Bolt. The 18 Leaf seat was comfy like my Leaf, in contrast to the Bolt, seats which I could conceivably call a dealbreaker for the Bolt.
-- LeafSpy on this car was after my drive was showing 115.19 AHr, 99.78% SOH, 97.96% Hx. LeafSpy was showing 22 miles while the car odometer was actually at 35.
Overall a solid upgrade. I instantly felt right at home. To go EV only once we retire the Prius I feel we need a 60-kWH pack at minimum. This was a glimpse into the future. Seeing 150 miles on the display is a big jump.